Multi-point video conferencing scheme

A method comprising:

• detecting a change in audio status corresponding to a first participating location of a plurality of participating locations in a multi-point video conference;
• when the change in audio status is from silent to audible, and
• when a number of active display windows is less than a maximum number of the active display windows,
• activating a first active display window;
• starting a first display timer corresponding to the first active display window;
• and
• displaying the image in the first active display window to each participating location;
• and
• when the change in audio status is from silent to audible, and
• when the number of active display windows is not less than the maximum number, inactivating a second active display window;
• stopping a second display timer corresponding to the second active display window;
• activating a third active display window;
• starting a third display timer corresponding to the third active display window;
• and
• displaying the image in the third active display window to each participating location;
• and
• when the change in audio status is from audible to silent,
• starting a first silence timer corresponding to the first participating location.

A method comprising:

• detecting a change in audio status corresponding to a first participating location of a plurality of participating locations in a multi-point video conference;
• when the change in audio status is from silent to audible, and
• when a number of active display windows is less than a maximum number of the active display windows,
• activating a first active display window,
• starting a first display timer corresponding to the first active display window, and
• displaying the image in the first active display window to each participating location;
• and
• when a number of active display windows is not less than a maximum number of active display windows,
• inactivating a second active display window according to one of a group consisting of the following:
• a second silence timer indicating a first length of time that the second active display window has been silent, and
• a second display timer indicating a second length of time that the second active display window has been displayed;
• activating a third active display window;
• starting a third display timer corresponding to the third active display window;
• and
• displaying the image in the third active display window to each participating location;
• and
• when the change in audio status is from audible to silent, starting a first silence timer corresponding to the first participating location.

A multi-point video conferencing system comprising:

• a video display decision-making module to determine a display window for displaying an image to a set of participating locations in a multi-point video conference;
• and
• a multi-point control unit configured to provide communication between the video display decision-making module and a plurality of display devices, wherein
• each display device of the display devices corresponds to a respective participating location of the set of participating locations.

A multi-point video conferencing system comprising:

• detecting means for detecting an audio signal corresponding to a first participating location of a plurality of participating locations in a multi-point video conference, wherein
• the first participating location has no corresponding active display window, and
• the first participating location corresponds to an image;
• first displaying means for, when a number of at least one active display window is less than a maximum number of the at least one active display window,
• activating a first active display window, and
• displaying the image in the first active display window;
• second displaying means for, when the number of the at least one active display window is not less than the maximum number,
• inactivating a second active display window;
• activating a third active display window;
• and
• displaying the image in the third active display window.

An information handling system comprising:

• a processor;
• and
• a memory comprising instructions executable by the processor, wherin
• the information handling system is configured to communicate with a plurality of audio signal detecting devices, a corresponding audio signal detecting device for each participating location of a plurality of participating locations;
• the information handling system is further configured to communicate with a plurality of display devices, a respective display device for each participating location of a set of the participating locations;
• and
• the instructions comprise:
• detecting instructions to detect an audio signal corresponding to a first participating location of the participating locations, wherein
• the detecting is performed by a first audio signal detecting device of the audio signal detecting devices,
• the first participating location has no corresponding active display window, and
• the first participating location corresponds to an image;
• first displaying instructions to, when a number of active display windows is less than a maximum number of the active display windows,
• activate a first active display window, and
• display the image in the first active display window on each display device of the display devices;
• and
• second displaying instructions to, when the number of the active display windows is not less than the maximum number,
• inactivate a second active display window;
• activate a third active display window;
• and
• display the image in the third active display window on each display device of the display devices.

A computer program product comprising:

• detecting instructions to detect an audio signal corresponding to a first participating location of a plurality of participating locations in a multi-point video conference, wherein
• the first participating location has no corresponding active display window, and
• the first participating location corresponds to an image;
• first displaying instructions to, when a number of active display windows is less than a maximum number of the active display windows,
• activate a first active display window, and
• display the image in the first active display window;
• and
• second displaying instructions to, when the number of the active display windows is not less than the maximum number,
• inactivate a second active display window;
• activate a third active display window;
• and
• display the image in the third active display window.